Events

On April 30 @ 10 AM, Anakbayan New Jersey is joining BAYAN USA Northeast in a 5k walk/run-a-thon and community picnic at Prospect Park. This event aims to raise funds and awareness for Neri Colmenares‘ senatorial campaign and also Migrante Partylist! Bring your family, friends, kasamas, and co-workers for a fun-filled day and a great cause! We are calling on all supporters of clean, honest elections and candidates that serve the interests of overseas Filipino migrants to join in!

We will have a picnic area set-up for the community picnic as well as an information booth to learn more about the Philippine elections, especially our candidates Neri Colmenares and Migrante Partylist. Those who choose to take part in the 5k will have an option to run/ walk the perimeter of the park, which is the length of a 5k. There will be games and prizes to win!

Please click here to fill out the registration form, and join the Anakbayan New Jersey team! On the registration form is also a number of tasks that we need volunteers for, so please check them off if you are able to help with any.

If you are not able to make it with us on Saturday, no worries! You can still support Migrante Partylist and Neri Colemenares! You can make a donation through the Team ABNJ Fundly page: https://fundly.com/5k-for-neri-anakbayan-nj and share the link! 🙂

More details coming soon.

Join Anakbayan NJ on Saturday, October 17th, 2015 for a jam-packed day of films, performances, presentations, and exhibitions by Filipino youth, students, and our allies, featuring a centerpiece screening of The Guerilla is a Poet.

Saturday, October 17th
12-6pm: Filipino Film Festival
7-9pm: Upsurge Cultural Show and Open Mic
$5-$20 sliding scale
(no one turned away for lack of funds)

***Full program and location TBA***

Calling all Filipino Youth and Allies:

Anakbayan NJ aims to highlight the often forgotten, but historic, role of Filipinos in the US. Let us celebrate our contributions as migrant workers, artists, activists, and young people who are bearers of change for a more sustainable and just society!

We call on Filipino youth and allies to lend their talents and voices to the cause of uplifting our revolutionary history and tradition.

It has been over two months since super typhoon Haiyan devastated the eastern region of the Philippines and left massive devastation to livelihood and lives. Throughout this time, our communities have come together to help out in solidarity with the typhoon survivors.

Anakbayan NJ recently initiated Taskforce Haiyan NJ,part of a national network that campaigns for sustained fundraising and relief for the Philippines. We are inviting you to learn about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Filipinos Now Campaign, and how you can get involved.

*If granted by the Department of Homeland Security, TPS would grant immigration relief to Filipinos here in the U.S. One of the objectives of the campaign is extensive public education to address the Filipino community’s concerns about the possible program.

On behalf of the Taskforce, we would like to invite you to a public educational forum being held on the 3rd month since Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.

Filipino Youth of New Jersey Joins International Day of Outrage vs. Pork Barrel,

Demand an End to Government Corruption in the Philippines

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New York City, NY- Anakbayan New Jersey (AB-NJ) united with several other Filipino community organizations in the region for a historic 100-people strong protest action in front of the Philippine Consulate in NYC, demanding nothing less than the abolition of the pork barrel system in all branches of government.

In solidarity with the August 26 Million People March in Luneta, overseas Filipinos took to the streets and social media to express outrage and disappointment over the Aquino regime’s ineptitude at genuinely addressing the economic and social problems of the Filipino people.

In NYC, community members showed up wearing pig masks and brought signs that said, “Abolish Presidential Pork Barrel”, “Re-Channel Funds to Social Services” and “Investigate and Prosecute All Involved in Corruption”. There were also chanting of a revised popular protest slogan that goes, “Makibaka! Huwag mang-baboy!” in reference to the pork barrel fund and corruption. Speakers also from various organizations lashed out against the gross governmental misuse of public funds.

A member of Anakbayan NJ, tells his experience, “The protest meant a great deal to me because it’s great to see Fil-Ams in my area still be so connected to the troubles of our homeland. [We sent the message] that we are angry that supposed public servants are breaking their promises and stealing the money of the Filipino public,” said Jan Aguilos.

Clearly, despite Aquino’s supposed campaign to eliminate corruption, trillions of pesos in pork barrel funds are being laundered and pocketed by politicians every year through sham non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private investments; while the Filipino masses suffer under state budget constraints in education, health care, Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) protection, emergency relief and rehabilitation and other social services.

Scrap the Pork, Serve OFWs

The pork barrel scandal, where the exposé on Janet Lim- Napoles is but the tip of the iceberg, affects overseas Filipino workers as it affects their families back home. Corruption on the part of politicians is negatively connected to declining economic conditions in the Philippines, which push Filipinos to migrate abroad.

Nina Macapinlac, an AB-NJ member who migrated to the US 15 years ago, said, “This [government corruption] is outrageous because the pork barrel scandal illuminates the expansive pork barrel state of the Philippines, where power is so regularly used to exploit the public sphere. My family in the US works hard to send back money so this is just as much our concern as it is in the Philippines.”

Pork barrel funds include remittances sent home by Filipino migrants as well as millions more from tax impositions and state exactions through the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs. These remittances reached a record high of $21.4 billion worth of personal cash and non-cash items and goods in 2012, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Despite OFWs’ undeniable contributions, protesters cited several examples of the Aquino government’s failure to provide assistance to thousands of OFWs. President Aquino’s P1-trillion pork barrel fund could well be spent on the repatriation costs of over 5,000 distressed and stranded Filipinos in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as legal assistance funds for victims of labor trafficking in the United States.

Unity is People Power

The current surge of grassroots activism in the Filipino community around the world has been likened to the rumbles of the First Quarter Storm of the ‘70s. Participants of the protest action vowed to remain united and continue fighting until the pork barrel is abolished.

“Today, I saw the potential of our People here in the States to truly come together and stand up for something,” shared Daniel Santiago, an AB-NJ member, reacting to his experience witnessing the great turnout of Filipinos in the NY/NJ area. “There were people from varying spectrums of beliefs and focused on different aspects of what is going on with our People, but we managed to be united on certain things. It was a beautiful thing to be able to see [these organizations] come together as well as see so many Filipinos come out against the pork barrel to be in solidarity with those back home fighting to see it gone,” Santiago concluded.

The Filipino people, across various sectors of society, are stepping up and starting to question President Aquino’s eroding “daang matuwid” (righteous path). “The pork barrel scam is an unavoidable symptom of larger systemic problems in Philippine society. A bright, sustainable future depends on our determination to realize the demands of the campaign to abolish pork barrel and the system that perpetuates it through organized actions and people power. This broad movement for justice seeks to prove that the truly righteous path is the one we pave ourselves as a united force at home and abroad for the rights and welfare of our kababayans,” ended Bea Sabino, chairperson of AB-NJ. ###

WHAT: From May 26-31, 2013, student and community groups are holding a series of actions to demand Governor Christie and the NJ State Legislature to pass A3509/S2479, which would allow DREAM Act- eligible youth to qualify for in-state tuition and access state financial aid at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities, by the June 30, 2013 state budget deadline.

Community groups are urging concerned citizens to take a stand for a person’s right to affordable and quality education, regardless of immigration status. Everyone is invited to participate in the New Jersey DREAM Act Week of Action. Activities range from social media campaigns on Facebook and Twitter to public forums, vigils and rallies across New Jersey.

WHY: The NJTED Campaign launched with a rally at the State House in Trenton on January 8, just before Governor Christie’s State of the State Address. For the past 5 months, the NJ Dream Act campaign has been steadily gaining legislative and community support. Dozens of student groups, community organizations, labor unions and faith-based groups have signed on as endorsers of the campaign. The cities of Jersey City, Passaic, Elizabeth, Plainfield and New Brunswick all passed city resolutions urging the New Jersey State Legislature to enact the passage of A3509/S2479. Additionally, Essex County Freeholders and Union County Freeholders have both signed similar resolutions.

The undocumented immigrant population in New Jersey makes up 6.2% of the total state population, making it the fourth-highest rate in the nation. In New Jersey, undocumented immigrants make up 8.6% of the state’s workforce and paid $446.1 million in state and local taxes in 2010. Despite their contribution to the local economy, undocumented immigrants are required to pay out-of-state tuition rates to attend college, and are ineligible for financial aid and scholarships.

The New Jersey Dream Act Week of Action aims to supplement ongoing legislative visits with a demonstration of the people power behind the call for the implementation of A3509/S2479 in time for the Fall 2013 semester. It is time for New Jersey to join the 14 other states that have enacted similar legislation for aspiring undocumented youth.

*Afterwards, there will be a public hearing to discuss City Ordinance no. 13-047. This ordinance establishes an immigrant affairs commission in Jersey City. This immigrant affairs commission will help our mostly immigrant community in gathering resources/services, conduct studies and provide recommendations to the city council and mayor about our community’s needs.

*Organizers:*– Anakbayan New Jersey– Social Justice Club of Saint Peter’s University – Gothic Knights Grassroots– American Friends Services Committee

*Endorsers:** If your organization wants to endorse this action, please send us an email at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com

For more information, please contact Anakbayan New Jersey at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com or Bea Sabino, Chairperson, (201)7796886

Last February, delegates from various organizations around New York and New Jersey went to Louisiana as part of a national fact-finding mission to shed light on the horrific situation of Filipino migrant workers at the Grand Isle Shipyard.

This is part of the nation-wide campaign to seek justice for the Grand Isle Shipyard Filipino workers. Hear their stories and learn how you can help support our brave workers.

Co-sponsors:– Philippine Union of La Guardia Student Organization (PULSO)– Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH)– Asian American Studies Program at Hunter College (AASP)

– if your organization wants to co-sponsor this event, please email us Yves Nibungco at yvesnibungco@gmail.com or at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com

WHO: Anakbayan NJ, NJ Dream Act Coalition, NJ United Students, American Friends Service Committee, Action 21, Mujeres Unidas En Accion, St. Peter’s University Social Justice Program, New Jersey City University Gothic Knights Grassroots, and community at large

WHAT: On February 27th, a city resolution will be introduced to the Jersey City Council pressing Governor Christie and the NJ State Legislature to pass A1659/S2355 and A3509/S2479, which would allow DREAM Act- eligible youth to qualify for in-state tuition and access state financial aid at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities, respectively.

Community organizations are urging concerned citizens to pack the City Hall on Wednesday to show support for the City Resolution. A brief rally will be held in front of City Hall at 6pm, before proceeding to the public hearing at 6:30pm. Participants are invited to wear caps and gowns to symbolize the dream of higher education.

Please bring signs and placards that say:

Pass the Resolution for Tuition Equity
Tuition Equity for NJ Dreamers
Higher Education For All
No Human Being is Illegal
You Vote for Equality, We Vote For You

If you or your organization would like to give a 1-2 minute testimony as to why the Jersey City Council should support the City Resolution, please email bmb.sabino@gmail.com with your name, organization/affiliation, and contact information by midnight of Monday, February 25.

WHERE: City Hall, 280 Grove St., Jersey City, NJ 07302WHEN: Wednesday, February 27, 6pm-9pmWHY: The undocumented immigrant population in New Jersey makes up 6.2% of the total state population, making it the fourth-highest rate in the nation. In New Jersey, undocumented immigrants make up 8.6% of the state’s workforce and paid $446.1 million in state and local taxes in 2010. Despite their contribution to the local economy, undocumented immigrants are required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate to attend college, and are ineligible for financial aid and scholarships.The New Jersey Tuition Equity for DREAMers (NJ-TED) Campaign aims to gather enough community support and build people power to demand the implementation of A1659/S2355 and A3509/S2479 from the NJ State Legislature.The city resolution will be the first of its kind to be introduced in New Jersey that supports the NJ-TED Campaign. If approved by the City Council, Jersey City will serve as an example to other municipalities across New Jersey in taking a stand for a person’s right to affordable and quality education, regardless of immigration status.For more information about the NJ-TED Campaign, click here. For more information about the community action at City Hall, please visit the Facebook event page by clicking here. You may also contact Bea Sabino at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com or 201 779 6886.##